Marine Firefighting

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a rudimentary look at marine firefighting

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  • Marine Firefighting

  • Lecturer

    #4307 FF Daniel

  • The Legal ImplicationsWho is in Command? At Sea- The Ships Captain or Master.In Port -The Harbor Master or Port captain.At Sea on an Abandoned Vessel -The Coast Guard.

  • Parts of a Ship

  • Fire Spread in ShipsConduction-Conduction is the transfer of heat through a solid bodyFire can move from one hold to another, one deck to another, and one compartment to another via heat conduction.A water spray pattern absorbs heat more efficiently than a solid stream, because the smaller water droplets present more surface to the heat source. At the same time, less water is used, so there is less of a water runoff problem and less danger of affecting the stability of the vessel.

  • Fire Spread in ShipsRadiation-Heat radiation is the transfer of heat from a source across an intervening space; no material substance is involvedHeat radiates in all directions unless it is blocked. Radiant heat extends fire by heating combustible substances in its path, causing them to produce vapor, and then igniting the vapor

  • Fire Spread in ShipsConvection- Convection is the transfer of heat through the motion of heated matter, i.e., through the motion of smoke, hot air, heated gases produced by the fire, and flying embers.When it is confined (as within a ship), convected heat moves in predictable patterns. The fire produces lighter-than-air gases that rise toward high parts of the ship. Heated air, which is lighter than cool air, also rises, as does the smoke produced by combustion. As these heated combustion products rise, cool air takes their place; the cool air is heated in turn and then also rises to the highest point it can reach (Fig. 4.11). As the hot air and gases rise from the fire, they begin to cool; as they do, they drop down to be reheated and rise again. This is the convection cycle.

  • Radiationconduction

  • convection

  • Class of Fires and their usual LocationsThe bridge contains wooden desks, charts,almanacs and other such combustibles. Wood in many forms may be found in the carpenter shop.Various types of cordage are stowed in the boatswain's locker (Fig. 5.10).The emergency locker on the bridge wing contains rockets and/or explosives for the line throwing gun.The undersides of metal cargo containers are usually constructed of wood or woodbased materials. Lumber for dunnage, staging and other uses may be stored below decks.Large numbers of filled laundry bags are sometimes left in passageways, awaiting movement to and from the laundry room.Rubber and plastics are used extensively for the insulation on electrical wiring.CLASS A Fires

  • Class of Fires and their usual LocationsLarge quantities of combustible liquids, in the form of fuel and diesel oil, are also stowed aboard ship, for use in propelling and generating electricity Fuel and diesel oil may also be found as residues and films on and under oil burners and equipment in the engine room.CLASS B Fires

  • CLASS B Fire ExtinguishmentThe source of the flammable or combustible liquid involved in fire should be cut off as soon as possible Smothering-Using foam to blanket the liquid and thus shut off the supply of oxygen to the fireEliminating oxygen by sealing off the ventilation to the fire.

  • Size up

    Size up is the evaluation of the fire situation. Theon-scene leader should determine, as quickly aspossible,1. The class of fire (what combustible materialsare burning)2. The appropriate extinguishing agent3. The appropriate method of attack4. How to prevent extension of the fire5. The required manpower and firefighting assignments.

  • Firefighting ProceduresCommunications

    Communications with themaster should be established by phone or by messenger.Communications with firefighting teams must also be established and maintained. Messengers would be best for this purpose, since telephone lines might be destroyed by the fire, and firefighters would be moving constantly. An internal two-way radio system, if available, could be used to coordinate firefighting efforts.

  • Firefighting ProceduresStaging Area.

    The staging area should be established in a smoke free area, as near as possible to the fire area.

    An open deck location, windward of the fire, would be ideal. However, if the fire is deep within the ship, the staging area should be located below deck. A location near a ship's telephone, if feasible, would be helpful in establishing communication links.

    However, the staging area should not be located where it might be endangered by the spread of fire. All the supplies needed to support the firefighting effort should be brought to the staging area. These would include backup supplies of hose, nozzles and axes; spare cylinders for breathing apparatus; and portable lights. The staging area should also be used as the first aid station.

    The equipment required to render first aid to injured crewmen should be set up there.

  • Firefighting ProceduresAttackThe attack should be started as soon as possible, to gain immediate control and to prevent or minimize the extension of fire to exposures. (Exposures are the areas of the ship that are adjacent to the fire area on all four sides and above and below.)

  • Firefighting ProceduresDirect AttackIn a direct attack, firefighters advance to the immediate fire area and apply the extinguishing agent directly into the seat of the fire. There may be no problem in getting to the immediate fire area if the fire is small and has not gained headway.Ventilation is used only when a direct attack is made on the fire. During an indirect attack the fire area must be made as airtight as possible, to keep oxygen out and the extinguishing agent in.

  • Firefighting ProceduresIndirect Attack. An indirect attack is employed when it is impossible for firefighters to reach the seat of the fire. Generally this is the case when the fire is in the lower portions of the vessel. The success of an indirect attack depends on complete containment of the fire. All possible avenues of fire travel must be cut off by closing doors and hatches and shutting down ventilation systems. The attack is then made from a remote location.

  • Firefighting ProceduresVentilation

    Ventilation is the action taken to release combustion products trapped within the ship and vent them to the atmosphere outside the ship. Most fire fatalities do not result from burning, but rather from asphyxiation by combustion gases or lack of oxygen.

  • Firefighting ProceduresVertical Ventilation.

    The smoke and hot gases generated by the fire should be vented to the outside air if possible. As a fire intensifies, the combustion gases become superheated; if they are ignited, they will spread the fire very quickly.In the ideal situation, the gases are released at a point directly above the fire, as the extinguishing agent is brought to bear on the fire. This ideal vertical ventilation is just about impossible to achieve aboard ship, since there is rarely a direct upward route from the fire to the outside. In most instances, at least some horizontal ventilation is required

  • Firefighting ProceduresHorizontal Ventilation. Horizontal ventilation is achieved by opening windward and leeward doors to create an airflow through the spaces in which the combustion products are collecting. Fresh air flowing in through a windward doorway moves the combustion products out through the leeward doorways. The leeward doors should always be opened first. Portholes should also be opened; however, small portholes are not very effective in removing smoke and heat.

  • Vertical Ventilation

  • Horizontal Ventilation

  • Combination Ventilation

  • Protecting Exposures

    Protecting exposures means preventing the fire from extending beyond the space in which it originated. If this can be accomplished, the fire can usually be controlled and extinguished without extensive damage. To protect exposures, the fire must virtually be surrounded on six sides; firefighters with hoselines or portable extinguishers must be positioned to cover the flanks and the spaces above and below the fire. The officer in charge must also consider fire travel through the venting system. Crewmen must be dispatched to examine and protect openings in the system through which fire might enter other spaces.

  • Protecting Exposures

  • Overhaul

    Overhaul is begun after the main body of fire isextinguished. It is actually a combination of twoprocedures, an examination and a cleanup operation.Overhaul can be a dangerous procedure. Recordsshow that land-based firefighters are injured more during overhaul than during any other operation.This is attributed to a letdown after the fire is controlled ,leading to a degree of carelessness and a lack of regard for personal safety.

  • PassagewayCompartment FireWhen flames have traveled out of a compartment and into a passageway, it is essential that the compartment be reached. The hose stream must be directed into the seat of the fire. The flames in the passageway must be knocked down before the nozzle can be positioned properly. This is best accomplished by advancing as close to the flames as possible and keeping low to the deck (Fig. 10.6). Then the nozzle should be opened to the fog position. The stream should be moved up and down so that the water bounces off the bulkhead and the overhead, and into the flames. This will push the heat and flames ahead of the nozzleman, who should continue to advance until he reaches his objective.

  • PassagewayCompartment Fire

  • PassagewayCompartment FireFire in a passageway must never be attacked from opposite directions. If it is, one of the hose lines will push flames, heat and smoke directly at the other hose team

  • Hidden Compartment Fire To attack a substantial fire behind a closed door, the charged hoseline should first be positioned outside the door. Then the door should be opened only enough to insert the nozzle. Using the door to protect his body, the nozzleman should sweep a fog stream around the compartment. Both the nozzleman and the backup man should crouch as low as possible, to allow the heat and steam to pass overhead (Fig. 10.8). After a few seconds, the door may be opened a bit more. If conditions permit, the team should enter the compartment and advance until they can hit the seat of the fire with a straight stream

  • Flooding a Compartment with a Portable FoamGeneratorTo flood a compartment, a hose is run out on the deck above, the generator is attached to the hose, and the foam concentrate is connected to the generator pickup tube. All personnel must leave the space to be flooded, if the fire has not already driven them out. A hole, through which the foam is to be applied is cut in the deck (Fig. 7.18). A charged hoseline must be available at this time. (Whenever an opening is made into a fire area, an additional hoseline, charged with water, must be available in case the fire pushes through the opening. The charged line is then used to protect the opening.)

  • Flooding a Compartment with a Portable FoamGeneratorBefore the high-expansion foam is directed into the opening, another opening must be made. The second opening, some distance away but still over the same space, allows the escape of steam that is generated when the high expansion foam hits the fire (Fig. 7.18). If the second opening (the vent) is made on an open deck, the steam and heat will dissipate into the open air.

  • Flooding a Compartment with a Portable FoamGeneratorIf it is impossible to place the vent in the open, then it must be made in a passageway that leads to the open air. Once firefighters are sure that the passageway is open, no one should remain in the path of the escaping steam. When the foam is applied, it will generate steam that is hot enough to scald. Steam leaving the vent hole is a good indication that the foam is reaching its target and doing its work. If no steam is seen within a few minutes, either the foam is not reaching its objective or the vent hole is improperly placed.

  • Flooding a Compartment with a Portable FoamGenerator

  • Machinery Space FiresCut off Fuel SupplyStop VentilationIsolate ElectricalsInitiate Direct AttackIf beaten back, seal compartmentDeploy Fixed Firefighting Equipment

  • Firefighting Organization

  • Points to noteThe captain or harbour master has the final say on the continuance of firefighting operations.Fog streams should be used the most as they present a larger surface area to the fire as well as produces less water overall.Size up is paramount to a successful operation. Leeward doors should always be opened before windward doors.Fire in a passageway must never be attacked from opposite directionsFlooding a compartment should be done with high expansion foam.

  • Points to noteA two branch attack is preferable to a single line attack.Communication must be maintained at all timesA constant liasion with the captain and ships crew is critical to success.

  • The End